Trion V10

[ACZL]

This past Sat I heard on local radio station call in program about anything automotive/off road etc where a caller asked about the Triton V-10 in a Class A and the host more/less shot the engine down. Told the caller to shy away from it. I thought that this was a very good engine overall. What's the take on it?

[GDS-3950BH]

valhalla360 wrote:
Was this a GM sponsored show?

GM sponsors shows on backwater AM talk radio stations to bash the competition? Interesting. Please tune in to Joe the mechanics Automotive advice line Saturday morning at 10 on KEGR, sponsored by Mary Barra.

[grldst]

I had two different RV's with V-10 engines. Both were 2000 yr models. Best gas RV engine out there. Put about 65,000 miles on these without any issues. Both were nearing the 100,000 mile mark when I sold them

I have a son who is in the automotive repair service business. He takes care of a number of fleet vehicles with V-10 engines. Plug blowing out problem is far and few between. Usually it happens when people change plugs and do not properly torque the plug.

When one does blow out it is a simple process to fix. He would hilo coil the plug. He never had one come back after doing this process. Kit is available at NAPA.

[tragusa3]

We've owned our 2011 for only 3 years and 15k miles. I'm impressed. It does wind up, but it may be the most effortless high rpm I've experienced. Very smooth and happy to be revving.

From all my internet research, it seems to be in the top tier of all time reliability.

[dodge_guy]

valhalla360 wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:

theoldwizard1 wrote:
The biggest complaints are :

• Loud, because it has to use lower gear/higher RPM to climb hills
• Not the best fuel economy.

I experienced the opposite. I had two of the chevy chassis and then one V10. the chevys seemed to drop to a lower gear quicker and roar whereas the v10 seemed smoother.
bumpy

Now it's a pickup not MH but I agree compared to other pickups.

If it's turning 3000-3500rpm to climb a grade, it's smooth and quiet about it.

I agree. My 02 Excursion with the V-10 and 4.30 gears was somewhat loud at WOT. But I also had a K&N cold air intake on it. Now with the class A even sitting on top of the engine I can talk to my wife normally even when climbing a mountain. I do definitely believe the insulation and the way it’s built have a lot to do with it.

[AllegroD]

theoldwizard1 wrote:
The biggest complaints are :

• Loud, because it has to use lower gear/higher RPM to climb hills
• Not the best fuel economy.

This depends on the base insulation. On our Allegro 36LA, the RPMs are the issue. At lower RPMs, we have no issues with talking in normal voice. With higher RPMs, like climbing a steep inclines, the noise level rises beyond normal conversation. Our rig has insulation (Dynamat style) installed by mfgr, which makes a world of difference.

[valhalla360]

Bumpyroad wrote:

theoldwizard1 wrote:
The biggest complaints are :

• Loud, because it has to use lower gear/higher RPM to climb hills
• Not the best fuel economy.

I experienced the opposite. I had two of the chevy chassis and then one V10. the chevys seemed to drop to a lower gear quicker and roar whereas the v10 seemed smoother.
bumpy

Now it's a pickup not MH but I agree compared to other pickups.

If it's turning 3000-3500rpm to climb a grade, it's smooth and quiet about it.

[Bumpyroad]

theoldwizard1 wrote:
The biggest complaints are :

• Loud, because it has to use lower gear/higher RPM to climb hills
• Not the best fuel economy.

I experienced the opposite. I had two of the chevy chassis and then one V10. the chevys seemed to drop to a lower gear quicker and roar whereas the v10 seemed smoother.
bumpy

[camper19709]

No problems with mine.

[AllegroD]

V10 is a very reliable beast. Modern ones even have power management that protects the engine from over rev and over heat and more. I have owned 2 in 36-37 foot MHs and would buy another.

[LadyRVer]

I had 3 V-10 Triton's and all 3 performed great. No problems. The motorhomes were all 31 or 32' .. averaged 8.5 mpg, towing/not towing, uphill/downhill. 2004, 2009 and a 2011.

[theoldwizard1]

The biggest complaints are :

• Loud, because it has to use lower gear/higher RPM to climb hills
• Not the best fuel economy.

[Lwiddis]

“It may be he owned one of the plug poppers...”

Plug poppers? On radio? I never!

[wa8yxm]

In fairness to the Show.. It may be he owned one of the plug poppers.. and has never given them a 2nd chance.

Fact: I recall one episode of Car Talk, the PBS show with Click and Clack the tappet brothers.

The complaint: Drive all day no problem
Drive at night dead battery

They prescribed a new alternator which DID fix it. however I'd never have spent that much.. Cars of that vintage used "V" belts not "Serp" belts. and as part of the alternator replacement..... They adjusted the belt tension.

I fixed 5 cars (2 of them mine) with that kind of problem

Mine.. one I tightened the belt. another I had to replace the belt as the specified belt was the wrong size.

Two I told 'em to tighten it up

one (Sticker still in window) They forgot somethign at ye old factory.. THE BELT

[howdy35]

When I owned 99 Bounder with a V10, I drove it over 35,000 miles including trips to Florida, Texas, Iowa, Colorado, Washington and Alaska. That is to say it took us over hill and dale without nary a whimper. True, in the mountains, it would really wind up going up some of those passes but never gave us any moments of concern.

The guy on the radio may have been talking of one isolated incident with a V10, but that could be the case with any engine or vehicle. I believe the vast majority of owners of the V10 engine will say they are very reliable.

If I were looking for an RV with a V10 and I liked the floor plan, and everything else checked out, I wouldn't hesitate to buy it.

That's my story and I am sticking to it

Happy travels. Arnold